TATAMI FLOOR CHAIR

 This low chair, designed in a relaxing lounge style, is crafted from solid wood and traditional Japanese TATAMI.

To introduce authentic Japanese culture and interior design, I created this low seat using traditional materials and craftsmanship while incorporating innovative design ideas and details.

The goal was to infuse a Japanese ambiance into a hotel room in Los Angeles. Traditional Japanese interiors often feature tatami mats on the floor. Made from 100% natural materials, tatami has a soft texture and remains comfortable throughout the seasons in Japan, while also regulating room humidity.

I approached the installation of this traditional material in an innovative way. Typically, tatami is used as a mat with a thickness of about 40mm, requiring a frame for installation. However, I aimed to highlight the inherent beauty of tatami itself. Instead of framing the tatami, I used only tatami sheets for the seat and back.

The design also required careful consideration of the wooden details for integrating the tatami. While the exterior of the wooden frame appears simple and clean, the interior features intricate details such as tenon joints and dado cuts. Achieving this was challenging, but I successfully incorporated these traditional Japanese woodworking techniques.

The final assembly involves joining the wooden side frames, back, seat, and two wooden supports using tenon joints and square holes, without any glue. This method allows for easy disassembly and replacement of the tatami sheets in the future.